Printing machine



April 20 1926; 1,581,726

H. P. ELLIOTT PRINTING MACHINE JOHN DOE BLANK ST.

LBLANK,KN.

Y op 0-00. 0 00 oo April 20 1926.

H. P. ELLIOTT PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2April 20, 1926. 1,581,726

- H. P. ELLIOTT PRINTING MACHINE Inve71?oi.

ApriTZO 1926.

H. P. ELLIOTT PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 wN\max Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

TES'

PATENT OFFICE. 4

HARMON I. ELLIOTT, 0F WATERTOWN, -MA SSACHUSETTS.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed September 11, 1922. Serial No. 587,594.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARMON P. ELLIOTT, a. citizen of the United States,residing at \Vatertown, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Printing Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to printing machines of the type wherein theprinting characters are borne by stencils which are adapted to be passedthrough the machine in suecession whereby to effect the printing of thecharacters borne by them upon the work to be printed.

An object of this invention is to provide a stencil printing machine ofthe type above set forth especially arranged to employ a thin andflexible stencil; and a further ob ject is to provide a thin andflexible stencil especially adapted for use in connection with theprinting machine.

A yet further object is generally to im-' prove the construction andoperation of printing machines.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a stencil adapted for use in connection withthe printing machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the printing machine, the inking mechanismbeing removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation along line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 2, andillustrating the right hand end of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 and illustrating the left hand end ofthe machine.'

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail of the stencil track construction.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation along line 7-7 of Fig. 2, andillustrating particularly the stencil holder and stencil-removing means.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail illustratingthe suction cups by which thestencils are engaged and removed from the stencil stack.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the stencil stack and stripping means with abottom stencil in position to leave the stencil stack.

Fig. 10 is a side detail of the selector mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the nism of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a plan detail of the selector ban.

Fig. 13 is a plan detail of the hiking mechanism.

mecha- Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 13. I

Fig. 15 is an end view of the ink-depositing roll. a

Fig. 16 is a partial side view of the roll of Fig. 15. i

' S Fig. 17 is a front elevation of frame for supporting the inkingmechanism.

The usual form of stencil adapted for use with stencil printing machinesis relatively thick and rigid and includes a frame of thick cardboardwhich has a window over which is secured a thin stencil sheet adapted tobear the characters to be printed. The stencil associated with thisinvention is indicated by the numeral 20, .Fig. 1 and is or may beformed of a single sheet of relatively thin paper and, in contrast withthe usual stencil, is inherently flexible and adapted to bend. Thestencil may be of any desirable shape and size and may have thecharacters to be printed perforated in its middle. portion, as at 21.The upper edge of the stencil is or may be formed or provided with anotch 22 for convenience in filing the sten cils, as is common practice.The stencil also may have a portion, as the lower portion thereof, whichis adapted to receive one or more selector perforations 23, and saidperforations may cooperate with selector mechanism of the printingmachine and control the printing operation thereof.

A stencil printing machine is or may he usually arranged to support astack of superimposed stiff and relatively inflexible stencils inposition for use and means are or may be provided to engage the edge ofthe lowermost stencil of the stackand push or slide it from under thepile of stencils and move it through the machine. The present stencil isthin and the edge of a single stencil in a pile of stencils cannot beengaged in a practicable manner. Furthermore, the stencil is flexibleand may bend or buckle if it is attempted to push it sideways from thestack by a pressure applied at the edge thereof. The printing machineembodying the present invention includes novel means to effect theremoval of the thin and flexible stencils singly from a stack ofstencils.

' The printing machine includes the frame 25 whichsupports a table 26,which latter is adapted to support the Work, as envelopes, sheet and thelike to be printed. A stencil track is supported upon and is or may bespaced above and extended longitudinally alon the table and the work tobe printed is a apted to be passed under the stencil track;' The machinealso has inking mechanism including a printing roll which is above thestencil track and table, and a movable platen disposed normally belowthe table, and power mechanism to actuate the various components of themachine.

Power mechanism.

The power mechanism is or maybe of any usual or desirable constructionand may be carried by the frame beneath the table.

Said mechanism may include a motor 27 which is'or may be connectedthrough suitable speed-reducing mechanism to drive the shaft 28, andalso the shaft 29.

Printing mechanism.

or may be extended upwardly from a fixed support, as the frame of thepower mechanism, and its upper end may be connected with said shaft 34,whereby to support the table and the mechanism associated therewithagainst the thrust of the power mechamsm. A y

A movable platen 37 is disposed normally in a position below the. table26 and under the stencil track and is adapted to be moved upwardlythrough. an aperture 38 in said table to engagethe work to be printedand hold it in engagement with-the stencil during the printingoperation. Said platen 37 is or may be formed or provided with arms 37which are or may be pivoted to the bracket whereby movably to supportthe platen. -A'shaft 40 is or may be extended between said arms and maybear a cam roller 41 and said roller is adapted to be engaged by aplaten-actuating cam 42. Said platenactuating cam 42 is or may bepivotally mounted on said shaft 34 and may have the arm 43 connectedthereto which is extended rearwardly and downwardly for ioperativeconnection with an operating lever 44. Said operating lever 44 is or maybe pivotally mounted on said shaft 34 and may be connected through theconnectingrod 45 with a crank, not shown,.carried by the shaft 28 of thepower mechanism. The arrangement is such that said lever 44 isreciprocated by the power mechanism, whereby to reciprocate the platen37 and the printing roll into and away from printing position.

Means under control of selector mechanismhereinafter to be described,are provided by which the 'printing mechanism,

' which includes the plate 37 and the printing roll, maybe disconnectedfrom the power mechanism and. particularly from the operating lever 44,whereby to permit the power mechanism to operate and actuate othercomponents of the machine without actuating the printing mechanism. Saidmeans 111- cludes the latch 47 which is pivoted to the arm 43 of theplaten-actuating cam and has aprojection 48 adapted to be received re-'movably in a notch 49 of the operating lever 44. A spring 50 serves tohold said latch 47 yieldingly in locking engagement with said lever 44.When said latch and lever are 111 locking engagement, said arm 43 isreciprocated in unison with said operating lever 44 but when said latchis moved away fr om engagement with said lever 44, the printingmechanism may remain idle while the power mechanism may continue tooperate.

The printing mechanism includes a horizontally-elongated frame 52 whichispivotally supported on the shaft 32 carried by said bracket 30. Saidframe is or may be provided, above the table 26, with thehorizontally-disposed aperture 53 therein through which wide sheets orother matter may be passed after having received the impressions borneby the stencils. Said frame may be formed or provided with the spacedarms 54 which extend forwardly above the table 26, and a printing roll55 is rotatably received between and supported by said arms and isadapted to be moved downwardly, by a movement of the supporting frame52, into printing engagement with astencil disposed beneath said roll inthe stencil track. A

transfer roll 56 is or may be also disposed between and rotatablysupported by said arms 54 and is arranged inrolling engagement with saidprinting roll and serves to tra-nsferink from an ink roll disposedthereabove to said printing roll.

Said printing roll 55 is adapted to be reciprocated vertically to effectthe printing operation-and for this purpose, said frame 52 is arrangedto be reciprocated. Said frame is or may be formed or provided with adownward extension 57 and said extension may have an adjusting membercomprising a bolt 58 screw-threaded therein. A block 59 maybe swiveledon the end of said bolt and a link 60 may be pivoted to said block and.the arm 43. Said arm 43 and link 60 may form toggle members by whichthe frame 52 may be reciprocated and the arrangement is such that theprinting roll 55 may be moved into forcible engagement with the stenciland the work supported on the platen 37. Said bolt 58 provides means bywhich '72, see Figs. 13 and 14:. Said ink reservoir the printingpressure may be varied and the position of the printing roll above thestencil may be adjusted. A spring 62 connected with said extension 57and a fixed support, as the arm 33 of bracket 30, may serve to hold theprinting roll 55 and platen 37 away from printing position when thelatch 47 is operated to disconnect the arm 43 from the operating lever44. of the power mechanism.

It will be apparent that, as said lever 44: is reciprocated inconnection with the arm 43, the platen 37 and the printing roll 55 aremoved inwardly and outwardly together.

inking mechanism.

The printing and transfer rolls are supplied with ink by an inking-mechanism which is disposed above said rolls and sup ported on abracket 64: which rises above the table 26 at the rear of the stenciltrack. A supporting frame 65 is secured to said bracket and is or may beformed or provided with the arms 66. Links 67 are pivoted to said armsand a shaft 68 is extended between and connected with the outer ends ofsaid arms. Airink roll 69 is disposed between said links 67 and is ormay be rotatably sup ported on said shaft 68. Said ink roll is adapted,by its weight, to bear constantly upon and roll in engagement and movevertically with said transfer roll 56 and deliver ink to said transferroll, and, by means of said roll, to the printing roll. If desired, aspring 71 may be connected with a link 67 and a fixed support, as theframe 65, and serve partially to support the ink roll.

A supply of ink is adapted to be contained in areservoir which may beformed by the spaced end-walls 72 and the U'shaped trough member 73which is or may be secured in fluid-tight engagement with said end-wallsis adapted to be pivotally supported and for this purpose the end-wal1s72 may be formed or provided with the rearWardly-extended arms 74 whichare or may be pivotally connected removably with arms 75 of said bracket65 by suitable means, as the split p ns 76, which latter are or may beretained yieldingly in removable connection with said arms by their ownspring action.

An 1n k depositing roll 78 is rotatably supported in said ink reservoirand may have the ends of its shaft 7 9 received loosely and rotatablysupported in recesses 80 of the end-walls of said ink-reservoir, wherebyand roll may be lifted bodily out of the reservoir. Said roll may beformed or pro: videdwith the peripheral spiral flange 81, see Figs. 15and 16. Said flange may be provided with a plurality of notches wherebyto form a plurality of spirally-arranged teeth each of which is adaptedto deliver a small amount or dotof ink from the reservoir to anink-distributing roll 82 disposed there-above and. the arrangement issuch that dots of ink are deposited uniformly over the face of said roll82. Normally the ink depositing roll 78 is supported below and free fromengagement with said roll 82 and the ink reservoir is adapted to beraised manually, as by grasping the finger S3 of the ink reservoir,whereby to .may carry a pulley 86 which is driven by a belt 87 from acounter-shaft 88, which latter may be rotatably supported by the table26; and be driven through a belt 89 or other suitable means from theshaft 28 of the power mechanism.

Said ink-distributing roll 82 is adapted to be normally in engagementwith the ink roll 69, except when said roll is moved downward during theprinting operation, and serves to rotate said roll 69and the transferroll 56 and printing roll 55, whereby to maintain a supply of inkon-said printing roll.

Said ink-distributing roll 88 preferably is reciprocated axially as wellas rotated, whereby-to distribute the ink uniformly over the surface ofthe ink roll 67. The reciprocating means may be as described in theco-pending application of Sterling Elliott. Serial No. 432,961, filedDecember 24,1920, and may include a worm 92 fixed to said shaft 84 andarranged in mesh with a worm gear 93, which latter is rotatably mountedon av stub shaft 94 carried by the frame 95,

and said frame is provided with arms 96' which are loosely supported onsaid shaft 84 and are adapted to engage opposite sides of said worm 92.Said frame 95 also is or may be slidably supported on an arm of thebracket 65. A link 97 is eccentrically pivotally connected with saidworm gear 93 and is pivotally connected with the bracket 65. Thisarrangement is such that the ro tary movement of said worm gear actsupon said link 97 to reciprocate the shaft 84.

The inking mechanism herewith described is claimed in a co-pendingdivisional application Serial No. 654,015, filed July 26, 1923.

Stencil feeding mechanism.

'The stencils are adapted to be passed in a stencil track longitudinallyfrom theright to the left hand end of the machine, Fig. 2, between theplatenv 37 and the printing roll 55 and above tlie'table 26. The unusedstenoils are adapted to be contained in a vertical pile or stack in astencil holder disposed at the right side of the machine and the usedstencils ,are adapted to be deposited in a stencil holder disposed atthe left side of the machine.

The stencil holder, adapted to contain stencils, is adapted to be passedthrough the machine may include the rectangular frame 100 which may havean opening 101 through one side thereof to permit stencils in the holderto be readily grasped for removal. L-shaped members 102 are received inthe corners of and secured to said frame and extendvertically thereahoveand form guidemembers for the stencils. Said frame 100 is receivedremovably on the spacer frame 103 which is secured on a raised portion104 of the table 20. Said spacer frame has an inner rectangular openingwhich conforms substantially to the shape of the stencil. and the sidewalls of said opening slope inwardly and downwardly whereby to center astencil removed from the stencil pile in position to be moved into thestencil track.

Means are provided to hold the stencils in the holder and permit thelowermost stencils to be withdrawn singly and hold the re mainingstencils against withdrawal. Said holding means includes the springfingers 106 which are secured to the frame 100 and extend through slotsin the corner members 102 and depend into the holder close to the sidewalls thereof. Said fingers are formed or provided withreflexed'end-portions 107 which form seats adapted to engage the bottomedges of the stencils and upon which the stencil stack is adapted to besupported. Other stencil-supporting members 108 are or may be carried bysaid frame 100 and disposed to engage the opposite side edges of thelowermost stencils. Said members 108 are preferably formed with taperedinner ends and are adjustable inwardly and out- I holding members.

' wardlv of-the stencil holder by means of' the slots 109 in saidmembers and the screws 110 which are passed through said slots andthreaded into the frame 100, whereby to center the stencils in theholder. Preferably, the lower edges of said members are or may besubstantially in line with the reflexed end-portions of saidspring-fingers whereby all members may co-operate to support the stencilstack.

Pneumatic means are provided whereby to utilize the flexibility of thestencils in the stack to engage the lowermost stencil and move itdownwardly and flex it in engagement with the stencil-holding membersand withdraw it from engagement with said Said pneumatic means mayinclude a plurality of suction cups 115 which are or may be carried inpairs on plates 116 which, in turn, are secured to a plate 117. Saidsuction cups are or may have been lowered sufficiently to strieally-reciprocahle shaft 118 which is slidably supported in a bracket119. An arm 120 is loosely connected pivotally to the lower end of saidshaft .118 and is fixed to a horizontal shaft 121, which latter issupported for reciprocating movement in a bracket 122 carried by theframe 2550f the machine.

Said shaft 121 is provided with an arm 123 fixed thereto and said arm isconnected, through a connecting rod 124, with the cam lever 12!), whichlatter is pivoted to a fixed bracket 126 and bears a cam roller 127which is arranged to engage an eccentric cam 128 fixed to the shaft 20of the power mechanism. The arrangement is such that each completerotation of said shaft 29 effects a complete reciprocatory movement ofthe shaft 118 and the suction cups carried thereby.

Channels 130 are formed in said suction cup-supporting plates 116 and117 and serve to connect said cups with an axial channel 131 in theshaft 118, through which said 'cups may be connected with a source ofsuction. Said shaft is or may be formed, at its lower end with alaterally-exteluled nipple 132 to which a flexible pipe 133 is secured,and said pipe is extended to and is in communication with the interiorof the cylinder 135 of an air suction pump.

The cylinder of said pump is or may be secured to the frame 25 of themachine below the table 26. A piston 130 is reciprocable within saidcylinder and'its connecting rod'137 is connected to the crank arm 138 ofthe shaft 29 of the power mechanism.

Said suction pump and suction cups are or may be, arranged to operateconjointly and the suction pump is arranged to have its piston moving onthe downward stroke when the suction cups are in engagement with thelowermost stencil of the stack and are beginning their downwardmovement. The pump piston may also be arranged to be moving upward whenthe suction cups t 1e lowermost stencil from the stack, where y toeffect the release of the detached stencil from the suction cups by thecessation of the suction effect and blow off and thereby forcibly detachthe stencil from the suction cups. Otherwise, the pump cylinder may beprovided with an opening in its side wall and in position-to beuncovered by the piston, when the suction cups are in position torelease the stencil,v whereby to break the vacuum and effect the releaseof the stencils.

The pump cylinder maybe provided with a relief valve 140, which may beloaded by the weight 141, to keep down the pressure within the cylinderon the up stroke of the piston. I

Fig. 9 illustrates the action of thesuction cups to detach the lowermoststenc1l from the stack of stencils. The suction cups are arranged toengage the body of the stencil, preferably beyond the region which maycontain the printing characters and within the edges thereofand, bysuction, securely grip the stencil. As the suction cups are moveddownwardly the stencil is moved downwardly with the cups. The stencil isflexible and consequently the edges thereof are flexed as illustrated inFig. 9 and are pulled inwardly and out from between the stencil-holdingmembers and the next lowermost stencil of the stencil stack and arefinally withdrawn clear of the holding members. The remaining stencilsare held b the holding members from following the lowermost stencil.

The suction cups are arranged to deposit the stencil upon, the raisedportion 104 of the table 26 and release it, while the .cups may continueto move downward to a position below a pusher which serves to shde thestencils laterally into the stencil track.

The pusher comprises a member 143 which is or may be formed with adove-tailed lower portion 144 which is adapted to slide within acomplementary-shaped 'slot 145 in a bracket 145 which latter is carriedby the table 26 and as an, extension thereof. Said pusher includes thespaced arms 146 which are slidably received in parallel slots 147extended lengthwise the'raised portion 104 of the table and beneath thestencil holder. Said arms extend above said raised portion and the innerends of said arms are adapted to engage an edge of a stencil lying onsaid raised portion and move it laterally into the stencil track andinto engagement with other stencil-moving means.

' Said pusher is adapted to be reciprocated in and out of the stencilholder in timed relation with the reciprocating movement of the suctioncups and said pusher may be reciprocated by the lever 148 which latteris pivoted to a bracket 149 secured to the table of the machine. Saidlever may be formed with a bi-furcated end-portion 150 between thefurcations of which a block 151 may be slidably received; and said blockmay be pi'votally carried by the pusher. The other end of said lever'148may be provided with a cam roller 152 which is adapted to be en gaged bya face-cam 153, which latter is or may be fixed to a horizontal shaft154. Said shaft 154 may be rota'tably supported in suit-- able brackets,as the brackets 149 and 155, which aresecured to said table 26, and saidshaft may extend across the rear portion of said table.

Said shaft may be driven in timed relation with other components of themachine by suitable positive driving means as the sprocket 156 fixed tosaid shaft, and the chain 157 which meshes with said sprocket and asprocket 158 fixed to the shaft 29 of the power mechanism. Suitablechaintightening means may be provided, as the idler pulleys 159 and 160,which are rotatably supported on stud shafts which are verticallyadjustable in the vertical slot 162 of the standard 163. Y

The pusher operates after each down movement of the suction cups to movea detached stencil from the lower portion of the stencil holder into thestencil track.

The stencil track includes the parallel y printing roll and above theplaten. A plate 171 is secured to the lower faces of said side rails andforms a support over which the stencils are moved. Flat strips 172 aresecured to the proximate faces of said side rails and are spaced abovethe bottom plate 171 whereby to form grooves or tracks 17 3 in which theopposite edges of the stencils are received and retained. The ends ofsaid strips 172 adjacent said stencil holder are or may be relievedwhereby to facilitate the entrance of the stencils into the track.

Means are provided whereby to receive the stencils as they are deliveredinto the track from the stencil holder and drive them along the trackinto a selector position, hereinafter to be described, and into printingposition and finally deliver them into a stencil re ceiver at the end ofthe track. Said driving means may include the shaft 175 which is or maybe supported rotatably in bracket-s 176 parallel to the stencil trackand, as here shown, at the rear of the stencil track,

although said shaft may be otherwise disposed. Said shaft may be rotatedpositively in timed relation with the movement of other components ofthe machine from the shaft 154 and by a chain 177 which passes over andis in positive driving engagement With sprockets 178 and 179 carried byand fixed to said shafts 175 and 154 respectively.

A plurality of driving rollers 180, preferably having relativelyyielding driving faces, are supported rotatably in suitable brackets 181and extend downwardly into the stencil track to engage and drive thestencils therein; and said rollers are or may be driven from said shaft175 by thesets of spiral gears 182 carried by said shaft and rollers.Spring members or shoes 184 are or may be fixed to a suitable stationarypart of the machine and the free ends thereof may extend throughapertures 185' in the bottom plate 171 of the stencil tracks disposedbeneath said rollers 180 and serve to press the stencils into drivenengagement may be moved forward after a predetermined period of rest topermit the operation of the selector mechanism, hereinafter to bedescribed, and the printing mechanism.

Said sectors are fixed to shafts 189 and 190 respectively which arerotatably supported in fixed bearing supports and are driven positivelyfrom the shaft 175 through the sets of large and small bevel gears 191and 191 respectively.

Each stencil is adapted to be held at rest for a short period of time inthe stencil track between the first driving roll 180 and the sector 187to permit the operation of the selector mechanism. Means are or may beprovided to arrest the stencils accurately in a predetermined positionbetween said roll and sector and said means may include a latch 195which may be pivoted toa bracket 195 carried by a side rail 170 of thestencil track. One end 192 of said latch is adapted to enter the stenciltrack and bear against the bottom plate 171 thereof and engage an edgeof a stencil and .hold it from further movement along the track, untilthe latch is raised to permit the stencil to pass there under. In theparticular embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, said latch isadapted to enter the notch 22 formed in the top edge of the stencil andengage. an edge thereof but the latch may be arranged to engage anotherpart of the stencil. Said latch is adapted to be raised and lowered atthe proper time, whereby to release or hold a stencil, by a earn 193which is fixed to engage the end portion 194 of said latch 195 andoperate it.

Said latch is arranged to engage a stencil just as it passes frombeneath the bite of the first driving roll 180 and hold it from furtherforward movement to permit the operation of the selector mechanism. Thesector 187 is so arranged and timed that, after the selector mechanismhas operated, it has rotated into a position to engage the stencil andmove it along the track and into the bite of the next drivin roll. Saiddriving roll moves the stenci along the track and into printing positionunder the printing roll 55 and above the platen 37. Apivotally-supported and weighted shoe 196 may be arranged to engage thestencil and.

hold it yieldingly in 1printing position, and while the printing ro andplaten move inwardly on the printing operation. 11 printing position,the stencil is held a ovean aperture 197 in the bottom plate 171 of thetrack and the middle stencil is adapted to be pressed downwardly by theprinting roll through said track and into engagement with the workdisposed beneath the track and supported by the platen 37/ After theprinting operation is completed,

the sector 188 is so arranged and timed as to engage the stencil andmove it along the track and deliver it to driving rollers, which latterdeliver it into a stencil receiver 198 disposed at the end of and belowthe stencil track.

Selector apparatus.

dresses of its customers may be grouped together. A selector mechanismis therefore employed to enable the printing machine to be set to selectautomatically the proper stencils for printing and pass all otherstencils through the machine without operating it to print from suchstencils.

Said selector mechanism may include an insulated bar 200 which is or maybe formed with a plurality of apertures 201 which are adapted slidablyto receive selector pins 202, which latter may be held yieldingly insaid bar by the springs 203 connecting said pins with said bar. Said baris adapted to be moved downwardly by suitable mechanism and said pins202are adapted to register in position with the selector perforationpositions 23 in the stencil; As many selector pins as required will beplaced in suitable positions in the selector bar. When said bar is moveddownward to .bring the pins into contact with the stencil, if noperforation is in register with a selector pin, the printing mechanismis arranged to be inoperative and the stencil will pass through themachine without being used. If, however, a stencil perforation is inregister with a selector pin, said pin will pass through saidperforation and make contact with the stencil track and complete anelectric circuit which controls the operation of .the printingmechanism; and controls saidmechanism to print from the stencil. WViththis arrangement only those stencils having selector perforationscorresponding to the position of the selector pins will be selected foruse and all others will pass through the machine unused.

Said selector bar 200 is secured tothe ends. of arms 205 which extendabove the stencil track and the shaft 175 and areformed with a "commonhub 206 which is fixed to the shaft 207. Said shaft is rotat-- "ablysupported in a bracket 208 carried by the table 26 and is insulated fromsaidbracket by suitable means, as by insulating bushings carried by saidbracket in which said shaft is rotatably received. Said shaft 207 mayhave an arm 209. fixed thereto and a link 209 may e'onnect said armpivotally with an arm 210 fixed to a shaft 211 and said shaft 211 may berotatably supported in the fixed bracket 212. Said link 209 is insulatedfrom said shaft 211 and consequently the selector bar 200 is insulatedfrom the frame of the machine and is adapted to form one terminal of thecontrol circuit for the printing mechanism, and the frame of the machineis adapted to form the other terminal of the control circuit.

Said shaft 211 has an arm 214 fixed there to which bears a cam roll. 215and said cam roll is arranged to be engaged by a cam 216 fixed to theshaft 154 and 'a spring 217 serves to maintain said roll in engagementwith said cam. The arrangement is such that said cam serves toreciprocate the selector bar 200 in timed relation with the operation ofother components of the machine.

The selector is adapted to govern a control circuit which includes theelectro-magnet 220 carried by a bracket 221, which latter is or may besecured to the rear edge of the table 26. Said electro-magnet is adaptedto control an armature 222 which is pivoted on the screw 223 of theframe 212; and said armature is adapted to control the engagement anddisengagement of the latch 47, Fig. 3, with the operating lever 44,whereby to render the printing mechanism operative or disable itundercontrol of stencils passing along the stencil track.

. or this purpose a lever 225 is pivotally supported by a depending arm226 of the bracket 212 and has an offset fiat cam face 227 which isadapted to be engaged by a cam roll 228 carried by the upper end of saidlatch 47. The upper end of said lever 225 is provided with a cam roll229 which is adapted to bear against a cam 230 fixed to the .shaft 154and a spring 232 may serve to maintain sai-d cam roll in engagement withsaid cam. Said lever 225 is or may be provided with an extension 233 atits upper end which is adapted to be engaged.

by a gravity-operated latch 234 pivoted on the shaft 211, to hold saidlever in the extreme position in which it is moved by said cam 230. Saidlatch is controlled by the armature 222, the end 235 of which is ex--rocated at each rotation of the cam 230. The

upwardly a suflicient distance to move the cam roll 228 of the latch 47clear of the end of said lever 225, so that said lever may reciprocatewithout disconnecting said latch 47 from the lever 44. With thisarrangement each stencil will be used as it passes under the printingroll.

When, however, a stencil passes under the selector bar 200 and none ofthe pins thereof pass through selector perforations in the stencil, theelectro-magnet 220 will not be energized and, consequently, said latch234 will be in position to engage and hold the lever 225 at the outerend of its stroke and against further control by its cam 230. When theoperating lever 44 descends on the return part of its stroke, the roll22S carried by said latch 48 is moved downwardly into engagement withthe flat cam face 227 of the lower end of the lever 225 and the latch isforced out of engagement with the operating lever 44, therebydisconnecting the printing mechanism from the power mechanism. Thestencil-feeding and the selector-actuating mechanism continue to 0pera-te, however, and stencils continue to be moved along the stenciltrack. When a stencil having properly-positioned selector perforationsis moved under the selector bar, the electro-magnet 220 is energized andreleases the lever 225 and, when the operating lever 44 reaches aboutthe bottom of its stroke, the latch 47 engages said lever and connectsthev printing mechanism with the power mechanism for operation. Duringthis movement, the stencil will have been moved into a printing positionunder theprinting roll and remains in such position while the printingmechanism operates.

The structure may be otherwise modified Without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim: a

1. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a stackof flexiblestencils characterized by having perforate printing characters in themiddle thereof, a substantially vertical holder for a stack of stencilshaving holding means arranged to engage the edge of the lowermoststencils, means disposed below the stencil holder to withdraw thelowermost stencils singly from the stack comprising movable suctionmeans arranged to engage the lowermost stencil at several points beyondthe perforations and about and in from the edge thereof and withdraw thestencil against the holding means and flex the stencil out of engagementwith said holdin means, and printing mechanism operab e upon thewithdrawn stencils.

2. In a printing machine adapted tooperate from .a series of stencils, atable, a holder for a stack of stencils disposedabovesaid table, asuction device arranged to engage and remove the lowermost stencil ofthe stack downwardly and deliverit onto said table, a stencil track, anda reciprocatory pusher slidable on said table arranged to move beneathand engage the edge of a stencil thereon and move itonto said stenciltrack.

3. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to hold a stack of stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from said holder to the track, and driving rollsarranged to engage the marginal portions of said stencils in said trackand move them along said track. I

4. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to hold a stack of stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from said holder to the track, and a plurality ofdriving rolls disposed in spaced alignment along the length ofsaid-track arranged to engage the marginal portions of the stencilstherein andniove them along the track.

5, In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to hold a stack of stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from said holder to the track, and means to move thestencils along said track comprising a driving roll disposed above saidtrack and arranged to engage the margins of the stencils thereon, andmeans to press the stencils into driving engagement With said roll.

6. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to hold a stack of stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from said holder to the track, and means. to move thestencils along said track comp-rising a driving roll disposed above saidtrack and arranged to engage the stencils thereon, and means to pressthe stencils into driving-engagement with said roll comprising aspring-shoe disposed below said roll and the path of the stencils on thetrack.

7. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain 'a stack of stencils, a stencil track, andstencil-driving mechanism including a pair of continuously rotatabledriving Wheels disposed in line above said track and spaced fartherapart than the length of a1.

stencil, and means disposed between said Wheels arranged intermittentlyto move into stencil-engaging position and arrangedto move the stencilsfrom one to the other wheel. Y a

In a printing machine adapted to 0p erate on a series of stencils, aholderadapted to contain a stackyof stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from the holder to said track, and acontinuously-operating driving mechanism having a combination of stencildriving wheels and an intervening driving sector arranged to pro-' vidcintermittent movement of said stencils along said track. 1

9. In a printing machine adapted'to' operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, means todeliver stencils from the holder to said track, and acontinuouslyoperating driving mechanism having a rotatable sectorarranged intermittently to engage and move said stencils along saidtrack and driving wheels arranged to feed stencils to and take them fromsaid sector.

10. In a printing machine adapted to 0p erate on a series of stencils,the combination of a holder'for a stack of stencils, a stencil track,means to deliver stencils from said holder onto said track, printingmechanism and selector mechanism disposed above said track and thestencils thereon and arranged to engage said stencils, means arranged toactuate said mechanism and means disposed,

ahead of said mechanisms arranged to drive said stencils along saidtrack also arranged to arrest the movement of said stencils momentarilyin positions under said mechanisms.

11. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencilsthecombination of a holder fora stack of stencils, a stencil track, meansto deliver stencils from said holder onto said track, printing mechanismand selector mechanism disposed above said track and the stencilsthereon and arranged to engage said stencils, means arranged to actuatesaid mechanisms, means disposed ahead of said selector mechanismarranged to drive said stencils to a position under said selectormechanism, means disposedahead of said printing mechanism arrangedsubsequently to engage and drive said stencils to a position under saidprinting mechanism, and means arranged subsequently to remove saidstencils from such osition.

12. In a printing mac ine adapted to operate on a series of stencils,the combination of a holder for a stack of stencils, a stencil track,means to deliver stencils from said holder onto said track, printingmechanism and selector mechanism disposed above said track and thestencils thereon and arranged to engage said stencils, means arranged toactuate said mechanisms, means disposed ahead of said selector mechanismarranged to drive said stencils to a position under said selectormechanism, driving means including an intermittently actuatingelementdisposed ahead of said printing mechanism arranged subsequentlyto engage and drive said stencils to a osition under said printingmechanism, and intermittently actuating means arranged subsequently toremove said stencils from such osition.

13. In a printing machine a apted to operate on a series of stencils,the combination of a holder for'a stack of stencils, a stencil track,means to deliver stencils from said holder onto said track, printingmechanism and selector mechanism disposed above said track andthe'stencils thereon and arranged to engage said stencils, meansarranged to V actuate said mechanisms, means arranged to drive saidstencils to a position under said selector mechanism, driving meansincluding means intermittently movable to a stencil-engaging positionarranged subsequently to engage and drive said stencil to a positionunder said printing mechanism, and other driving means including meansintermittently movable to a. stencil-engaging po sition arrangedsubsequently to engage said stencils and remove them from beneath saidprint-ing mechanism.

14. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils,the combination of a holder for a stack of stencils, a

' stencil track, means to deliver stencils from said holder onto saidtrack, printing mechanism and selector mechanism disposed above saidtrack and the stencils thereon and arranged to engage said stencils,means arranged to actuate said mechanisms, means arranged to drive saidstencils to a position under said selector mechanism, driving meansincluding a driving roll and a driving sector arranged subsequentlytoengage and drive the stencils to a position under' along said track.

16. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, meanstodeliver stencils from said holder tosaid track, and driving meansincluding a plurality of driving sectors arranged to engage and drivethe stencils intermi-ttently along said track.

v 17. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a'series of stencils,a holder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, meansto deliver stencilsfrom said holder to said track, and driving meansincluding aplurality of driving rolls andsecto'rs arranged to engage anddrive said stencils along said trac 18. In .a printing machine adaptedto operate on a series of stencils, a holderadapted to contain a stackof stencils, a stencil track, a selector mechanism disposed above saidtrack. arranged to operate on the stencils therein, and means to movestencils from said holder along said track including means independentof the aforesaid stencil moving means arranged intermittently to movestencils to a position beneath said selector apparatus.

19. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stencilthereunder, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to move stenoils to a positionbeneath said selector apparatus and means positively to hold saidstencils intermittently in such position.

20. In a printing machine adapted to operate on aseries of stencilsaholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track,selector mechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on thestencils therein, and means to move stencils from said holder along saidtrack including means arranged intermittently to move stencils to aposition beneath said'selector apparatus, means positively to hold saidstencils intermittently in such position, and means to release saidholding means.

21. In a' printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stencilstherein, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to move stencils to a positionbeneath said selector apparatus and means positively to hold saidstencils intermittently in such position, comprising means to engage thestencils.

22. In a printin machine adapted to operate on a series 0% stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stencilstherein, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to move stencils to a positionbeneath said selector apparatus, means positively to hold said sten cilsintermittently in such position, comprising means to engage the stencilsand means to release said holding means.

.23. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, astencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stencilstherein, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to move sten oils to a positionbeneath said selector a paratus, and means positively to hold saidstencilsintermittently in such position, com- 'and means positively tohold said stencils intermittently in such position, comprising means toengage an edge of the stencils and means to release said holding means.

25. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of Stencils, a stencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stenciltherein, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to-move stencils to a positionbeneath said selector apparatus and means positively to hold saidstencils intermittently in such position comprising a lever] adapted tobe moved into the path of movement of the stencils in the stencil trackand engage edges of the stencils.

26. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of stencils, a stencil track, selectormechanism disposed above said track arranged to operate on the stencilstherein, and means to move stencils from said holder along said trackincluding means arranged intermittently to move stencils to a positionbeneath said selector apparatus and means positively to hold saidstencils intermittently in such position comprising a lever adapted tobe moved into the path of movement of the stencils in the stencil trackand engage edges of the stencils and means to move said lever away fromstencil-engaging position. 27. In a printing machine adapted to operateon a series of stencils, the combination of printing mechanism, means tofeed a series of stencils through the printing mechanism, continuouslyoperating power mechanism for both said printing mechanism and stencilfeeding means, means to disconnect said printing mechanism from saidpower mechanism, and electrically-governed controlling means for saiddisconnecting means including contact members disposed on opposite sidesof the stencils and adapted to pass through perforations in the stencilsand into contactto control the circuit for said electrically-governedcontrolling means.

28. In a. printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils,the combination of printing mechanism, means to feed a series ofstencils through said printing mechanism, power mechanism for operatingsaid printing mechanism and said stenciling mechanism releasingly withsaid power mechanism, selector mechanism in control of said connectingmeans including relatively movable circuit-terminal members disposed onopposite sides of the stencils and between which the stencils areadapted to be passed-and means governed by the stencils arranged to movesaldcircuit-terminal members into contact, whereby to control saidconnecting means' 29. In a printing machine adapted'to operate on aseries of stencils, the combination of printing mechanism arrangednormally ,to be inoperative, means to feed a series of stencils throughsaid printing mechanism, and electrically-operated means to control theoperation of said printing mechanism including selector mechanism havingrelatively movable contact members disposed on opposite sides of thestencils and between which the stencils are adapted to be passed, andmeans governed by the stencils arranged to pass the movable contactmember through thestencils and into engagement with the stationarycontact member, whereby to render operative said printing mechanism.

30. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series ofstencils, thecombination of printing mechanism including a reciprocating arm, powermechanism including a feeding means, means to connect saidprintreciprocating lever, means including a latch arranged releasinglyto connect said reciprocating arm and lever, power-actuated means tothrow out said latch, meansfto feed a series of stencils through saidprinting mechanism, and means to control the connection between saidpower and printing mechanisms including a reciprocating latchoperatinglever, means to reciprocate. said lever in timed relation with the cycleof operation of said printing mechanism, and selector apparatus governedby the stencils arranged to control the operation of said power-actuatedmeans.

31. In a printing machine adapted to opcrate on a series of stencils,thecombination of printing mechanisms including a reciprocating arm,power mechanism including a reciprocating lever, means including a latcharranged releasingly to connect said reciprocating arm and lever, meansto feed a series of stencils through said'printing mechanism, and meansto control the connection between said power and printing mechanismsincluding a reciprocating latchoperating lever, means to reciprocatesaid lever in timed relation with the cycle of operation of saidprinting mechanism, and selector apparatus governed by the stencilsarranged to control the operation of said latch-operating lever, saidapparatus including a locking member for said latch-operating leveroperable to hold said latch-operatllO ing lever against operation, andelectrically controlled means to govern said locking member.

32. In a printing machine adapted to operate on a series of stencils,the combination of printing mechanism including a reciprecating arm,power mechanism includ-- -mg a reciprocating lever, means including alatch arranged releasingly to connect said reciprocating arm and lever,means to feed a series of stencils hrough said printing mechanism, andmeans to control the connection betweeen said power and printingmechanisms including a reciprocating latchoperating lever, means toreciprocate said. lever in timed relation with the cycle of operation ofsaid printing mechanism, and

- selector apparatus governed by the stencils arranged to control theoperation of said latch-operating lever, said apparatus including alocking-member for said latch-operating lever operable to' holdsaid'latch-operating lever against operation, and electricallycontrolledmeans to govern said lockingmember, including an armature arranged togovern said locking-member, and an electromagnet for said armaturecontrolledby the stencils. I 1

33. In a printing machine adapted to oper-- ate on a series of stencils,the combination of printing mechanism including a reciprocating arm,power mechanism including a reholder er having holding means arranged toengage ciprocating lever, means including a latch arranged releasinglyto connect said reciproca'ting arm and-lever, means to feed a series ofstencils through said printing mechanism, and means to control theconnection between said power and printing mechanisms including areciprocating latch-operating lever,

means to reciprocate it in timed relation with the cycle of operation ofsaid printing mechanism, and selector apparatus governe by the stencilsarranged to control the operation of said latch-operating lever,saidapparatus including a locking-member for said latch-operating leveroperable to hold said latch-operating lever against operation, andelectrically-controlled means to govern said locking-member including anarmature .arranged togovern said locking-member, an electro-magnet forsaid armature, relatively movable contact members between which thestencils are adapted to be passed, and means governed by the stencilsarranged to effect the engagement of said contact members.

34. In a printing machine, the combina tion of a plurality of flexiblestencils characterized by having perforate printing characters in themiddle thereof and an imperforate marginal portion surrounding saidprintin characters, a substantially vertical %or a stack of saidstencils, said hold the edge of the lowermost stencil, means disposedbelow said stencil holder to-withdraw the lowermost stencils singly fromthe stack' most stencil of the stack and remove it.

downwardly and deliver it onto said table,

a stencil track, and a reciprocatory pusher slidable on. said tablearranged to move beneath and engage the end of a stencil thereon andmove it onto said stencil track.

36. In a printing machine, the combination of a plurality of stencils, aholder con taining a stack of said stencils, a stencil track, and meansto deliver said. stencils from said holder to said track, and drivingrolls arranged to engage the marginal portions of said stencils in saidtrack and move them along said track.

37. In aprinting machine, the combination of a plurality-. ofstencils, aholder adapted to contain a stack of'said stencils,

a stencil track, means to deliver said stencils from said holder tosaidtrack and a continuously o erating driving mechanism having a rotata lesector arranged intermittently to engage and move said stencils alongsaid-track and driving wheels arranged to feed stencilsto and take themfrom said sector.

38. In a printing machine, the combination of a plurality of stencils, aholder for a stack of said stencils, a stencil track, means to deliverstencils from said holder onto said track, printing mechanism andselector mechanism disposed above said track and the stencils thereonand arranged to engage said stencils, means arranged to actuate saidmechanism, means disposedahead of said selector mechanism arranged todrive said stencils to a position under said selector mechanism, meansdisposed ahead of said printing mechanism arranged subseqrientl toengage and drive said stenc1lstoapos1- tion under said rintingmechanism, and

means arranged su sequently to remove said stencils from said positions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

Harmon P. ELLIOTT.

